By the mere fact of entering a fencing competition, the fencers pledge their honour to observe the regulations and the decisions of the judges, to be respectful towards the members of the jury and scrupulously to obey the orders and injunctions of the Referee (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120 Offences and Penalties).

No fencer (individual or team) from a national federation affiliated to the FIE may take part in an official competition if they refuse to fence against any other fencer whatsoever (individual or team) correctly entered in the event. Should this rule be broken, the fencer concerned, individual or team, shall immediately be disqualified and the Executive Committee shall consider whether there are grounds, and to what extent, for taking sanctions against the national federation to which the disqualified fencer belongs (cf. FIE Statutes 14/j and Rules Article t.120 Schedule of Offences).

The fencers, completely equipped, with all equipment conforming with the regulations (cf. t.43-t.45) and ready to fence, must be present at the time and place appointed for the beginning of the pool, match, or bout of direct elimination, or at the time appointed for the checking of their equipment before their bout (cf. t.44), as well as during the competition, whenever the Referee requires it.

They must arrive on the piste, to fence their bouts, with two weapons (one as spare) and two bodywires (one as spare), which satisfy the Regulations and are in perfect working order (cf. t.45, t.114, t.116, t.120).

For any fencer not present, or any team which does not have all its members present, when called by the Referee at the time published for the beginning of the pool, match or bouts of direct elimination, there will be two repetitions of the call, at intervals of one minute, to be followed by exclusion from the competition by the Referee if the fencer or the entire team have not presented themselves by the third call (cf. t.114, t.119, t.120).

In the course of the competition (individual or team), when a fencer has been warned that it is their turn to fence and if they do not present themselves when called by the Referee, the Referee will apply the penalties provided for in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120.

Equally, should a fencer abandon a bout by leaving the piste (cf. t.18/3 Leaving the piste), they will be penalised as specified in Articles t.114, t.116, t.120.

During a team match, should there be a modification in the order of bouts in the match, either intentionally or unintentionally, the team, which has made the modification, loses the match (cf, t.120, o.44).

The competitors must fence faithfully and strictly according to the rules laid down in these Rules. All breaches of these rules will incur the penalties laid down (cf, t.114-t.120).

All bouts must preserve the character of a courteous and frank encounter. All irregular actions (fléche attack which finishes with a collision, jostling the opponent, disorderly fencing, a fall, irregular movements on the piste, hits achieved with undue violence, hits made while falling) are strictly forbidden (cf. t.114-t.120). Should such an offence occur, any hit scored by the fencer at fault is annulled.

Before beginning the bout the two fencers must perform a fencing salute to their opponent, to the spectators and to the Referee. If one of the two fencers does not comply with this rule, they will receive a penalty hit (Red Card) from the Referee. If, after receiving the Red Card, they do not comply, they will be excluded from the competition (Black Card, cf. t.114, t.118, t.120). If both fencers commit the offence, they will both be excluded from the competition (cf. t.114, t.118, t.120).

When the final hit has been scored, the bout is not ended until the two fencers have saluted each other, the spectators and the Referee. To this end, they must remain still while the Referee is making the final hit decision. When the decision is given, they must proceed with the fencer's salute, which is performed by lifting the weapon guard up to the chin, and must shake hands with their opponent, with the unarmed hand.

If the winner does not comply with this rule, the hit given to his advantage is annulled. If the loser fails to comply, they will be suspended for two competitions. If both fencers so fail, they will be excluded from the competition and suspended for two further competitions (cf. t.114, t.120).

The fencer, whether on or off the piste must keep their mask on until the Referee calls halt. They may under no circumstances address the referee until the Referee has made a decision (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120).

Under no circumstances may fencers remove their clothes on the piste, even to change their bodywire (cf. t.114, t.116, t.120).

Immediately after the end of a pool or a direct elimination bout the fencers must sign the pool or bout score sheet, under the responsibility of the Referee who must check the accuracy of the results on the score sheet. Before the score sheet is returned to the Directoire Technique, the Referee must indicate in writing if a fencer refuses to sign it. No subsequent appeal relating to the results will be allowed.

Competitors must fence to their utmost ability in a sportsman like manner until the end of the competition in order to obtain the best possible classification, without giving away hits or seeking to be favoured by being given hits by anyone (cf. t.114, t.119, t.120).